Oppositely swingable light structure



Jan. 21, 1947..

J. H. REICHART OPPOSITELY SWINGABLE LIGHT STRUCTURE Fil ed Jan. 12, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 lllllln.

Jan. 21, 1947. J. H. REICHART OPPOSITELY SWINGABLE LIGHT STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 12, 1944 Hr MFA/119.

4 J. H. REICHART 2,414,485

OPPOSITELY SWINGA BLE LIGHT STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 12, 1944 3.Sheets-Sheet s V INVENTOR. i JkMfs Ii FEM/mm.

downwardly upon the top face Patented Jan. 21, 1947 ()PPOSIITELY SWINGABLE LIGHT STRUCTURE JamesH. Reichart Muncie, Ind. Application January 12, 1944. Serial No. 517,909

15 Claims. (cum-.2

This invention relates to a lamp structure and containing accessory mountings for a stove, such as of electrical, gas, gasoline, kerosene or the like," but which is accessible to a source of electrical energy.

Certain portions of the invention, however, are not necessarily restricted to stove use or application. I

In regard to stove use, one of the chief objects of this invention is .to provide a source of illumination for a stove, the illuminating means being so carried by the stove that said means may be swung forwardly and thus direct illumination of the stove and into the vessels thereon.

Another object of the invention is that when the hinge axis of such illuminating means is inclined to the top surface of the stove, the outer end of the swung illuminating means is elevated above the normal elevation of said end when in unswung position.

Another object of this invention is to (supply electrical energy for illumination purposes through a hinge structure that subjects the current supply conduit to a twisting action that is less objectionable than a relatively, acute twist conventional to most hinged arrangements.

Another broad object of the invention is to provide a support for such illuminating means so that various portions of said support and the illuminating means may serve auxiliary purposes.

, Other objects and features of the invention will be set forth more fully hereinafter.

I The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings andthe following description and claims: V

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation offan attachment adapted for mounting uponthe back of a stove and projecting upwardly near the back thereof and above the top plane of such stove.

Fig. 2 is a section taken slightly off-center in 1 and with the clock embodiment removed.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation with the illuminating means swung to the left and pivotingupon. the left hand end.

. Fig. 4 is a similarview of the same parts, but swung to the right and pivoting upon the right hand end.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view hinge exempliflcation of a multiple elementis not swungto as great a degree.

Fig. ,6 i a viewof .the partsshowni'n Fig. 5, but oppositely corresponding to the structure shown in Fig. 3, except that the swingable swung and in this r spedtcorf which is provided .nels are adapted for assumed that the rent means is extended up sponds to the position of the parts shown in Fig. 4.

Fig.7 a front elevational view of a modified I former the invention.

Fig. 81s a side elevation thereof, the dotted lines indicating alternate positions of the illumination means. g

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of another modified form of the invention.

In the drawings the invention is illustrated as an attachment. It includes a pair of parallel upwardly directed channel members I 0. These may mount brackets ll if desired. These chansuitable anchorage to the back of a stove structure and may secure the base l3 withits lower edge I 3a coincident with the top plane of a stove, or with the top edge of the back splasher thereof if desired or required. Also, the members I0 may be so secured as to position the base l3 at any desired elevation.

Thebase I3 is inclined downwardly and forwardly, as shown more general-lyin Fig. 2. It includes a recess or compartment I 4,.the back of with knockout portions IS. The front of the recess or compartment may be provided with a hinge closure, not shown, and same could, when desired, constitute an open compartmentfor the reception. of condiment containers for use at the stove.

In Fig. 1 this compartment I4 is shown provided with and closed by a clock panel l6, which has the knob 11 and I8 exposed on the face thereof for setting and starting purposes, it being clock control I9 is of electrically operable type. It will be noted that one channel 10 is apertured a at 20 and current supply meansfll passes through this channel and into the conduit formed by a complementary closure, not shown, associated therewith, and this current conduit means 21 leads upwardly and has one branch when an electric clock is employed, adapted to enter the. opening form by knocking out the knockout portion 15. The conduit curwardly and is projected forwardly, as indicated at 22, see Figs. 3 and 4.

The base l3, as stated is suitably secured to the channelsoruprights l0 and upon the upper forward face ofsaid base l3 thereis secured a hinge structure generally. This hinge structure includes the support member 23 apertured at 24 to pass the conduit 22. This. member 23 has its forwardly projecting flanges 23a and 23b.

There is mounted in the base I3 a push button 2 .switchid' that controls current supplied by the 65' conduit 2l-22. Extending upwardly from the right hand end of the member 23 is the member 25 and it has a forwardly directed portion 26. A link 21 has one end pivotally connected thereto as at 28. In axial alignment therewith, but spaced therefrom there is pivotally connected at 29 to the lower edge 23b another link 30. The opposite end of the member 23 has secured to it the member 35, which depends and then projects forwardly at 32 providing a pivotal support 33 for another link 34 that lies beneath e, rearwardly directed ledge 35 upon a swingable member 35 also having the upper rearwardly directed ledge 31.

This member 36 has the link 21 pivoted at its opposite end to the left hand end of said member 36 as at 38, this pivot being carried by the flange 31. An upper inner link 39 has one end pivotally connected at 40 to the opposite end of the flange 31. The other end of said link 39 is pivotally con. nected at M to the end of the member 23 opposite the previously mentioned ends or adjacent the end to whichthe member 3i and this pivot 4| is aligned with the pivot 33. The

link 34 is pivotally connected as at 43' to the flange 35 of the swingable member 36 and in axial alignment with the pivot 40.

upon the depending portion 3 l The other end of the link is connected to the flange at 44, this being at the opposite end of the pivot 43. This pivot/44 is in axial alignment with the pivot 38.

When the right hand end of member 36 is swung outwardly, as shown in Fig. 3, the inside face of member 36 contacts the left hand edge of the member 23 and serves as a stop limiting the movement to slightly more than 90 degrees. manner when the member 36- has its left hand end swung outwardly, its right hand end engages the right hand edge of the member 23 and limits this swinging movement to slightly more, than 90 degrees, In actual practice this is about 110 degrees.

It will be quite apparent that if the side edgesof the member 36 were suitably recessed inwardly immediately aboveandbelow the flanges, which are directed rearwardly or inwardly, a greater degree of opening will be permitted. Elongatin the central portion of the flange structure 23-23a-23b would also servev to limit the swinging movement at the respective ends there- While herein two series of cooperating links are associated with the two pairs of' interfitting flanges, it will be pair of said l nks will function in many instances where undue strain is not encountered. It will also be apparent that this type of hinge structure of singular or dual character may be employed in other locations for hingedlyconnecting parts other than those specifically illustrated herein whenever it i desired to have one member swing upon another member from either end thereof, or when it is desired, for example, toform a container, which no matter how positioned, can be opened from one side or the other.

In the specific application, as applied; to a stove, it will be recalled that a stove top normally I has a support portion atone side theroflusually about one-half the total area of the stove top, and the other half is devoted to the cooking or heating area. 7

It is also conventional to mount centrally of the stove directly upon the back, or upon. theback is rigidly connected The other end of said link 34, as previously described, is pivoted at 33 In likequite obvious that a singular equally as well 4 splasher or above the same, directly or indirectly, a clock arrangement, as well as a, conventional lamp of the character that is operable by a pull cord. This well known canopy and lamp bulb application is quite inefficient for illuminating the interiors of deep vessels and illuminating vessels or objects at a considerable distance from the back of the stove. The present invention, it is obvious, can, be used to give equal illumination wheth r th t ve be a ri ht hand ype or a e hand type, reference being had to the heating area and the storage area of the stove top. Fur-- thermore this invention permits the illumination means to be swung outwardly, so as to lie across the top of the stove for illuminating whatever is upon the same. Thus increased illumination efiiciency is obtained.

Reference will now be had to the illumination means particularly. To the member 35 there is secured a' friction type hinge 50, which hingedly supports a canopy structure 5I that. opens. downa l Th s? 'ntvpe; h nge is dapt d, to s ain the cano y-i yfic vat d relat on. as shown in Fig 2 ,when desired; A pair ofpar titions 52 is provided" therein and said partitions; form two end compartments. as shownmore particularly in Figs, 3 and 4. Each of said compartments includes a lamp bulb 53 shown dottedin' Fig. 2, said bulb being carried by a socket stru'c ture, also shown dotted'at 54 in Fig. 2, and car ried by the partitions. Current wires leadlto bQth' bulbs and the back 5Iaof the canopy. is 'apertured at 55 to pass such current carrying conduit therethrough. The plate member 36 i similarly apertured as at 56 for the current conducting wires.

Now referring more particularly to Figs. 3 and, 4, it will be observed that from the aperture 56- the current conductor 51 leads downwardly and thence passes upwardly through an ear 58: at the'right hand end of the member 36', It then passes upwardly through another ear 59/ these t o ars e ng fo m d n. t e: n s of. a member 60, suitably secured to the rear face e mbe 36 ne r the r ght hand, nd. hereof.

The member 23 near the left hand end-th reof mounts a similar bracket fixture Glwith upper and lower ears 63 and 62, respectively, apertured to pass the current conducting wir portion. The former portion is designated by the numeral 64 the latter by the numeral 65', and; these two portions are connected by the intermediate portion 66. The lowermost end of the portion 65, below the apertured ear 62, is extended inwardly as at 61' nd connects to. the conduit portion 22 at the opening 24 beforernentioned. It will be observed see Fig. 3, that the conduit portion 65 is, comparatively elongated and subjected to an axial twist approximately equal to the angular displacement of; the swing. In like manner, when the illumination means is swung outwardly from the opposite ide, the wire por-.. tion 54 is similarly subjected to a; corresponding axial twist. This elongated formation subjects this wire to less acute twisting and consequently the wear and breakage thereof incident to swinging of t e illumina on eansis. s b a t al y. eliminated or materially reduced. 0 f v In l u of a p r o spaced ea s, a tubular u de. may be p o ided. and he s me ff ct m d he e rom, n other w rds, the e pro.-. d' t, ch nd. f, t e structur aforesaid an, elongatedv guide means forinsuring elongated axial: t ist ng. or the c rre t cond c in means.

As shown in Fig. 3,. themember 36 has an aperture 68 therein. This alsolappears in Fig. 4., The rear face 5Ia is similarly, apertured as at 69 and when the canopy is in normally lowered position these .two apertures register so that the light bulb. in the left hand compartment: will show through these registering openings and such light may be used foregg candling purposes either when the illumination means is swung to the left as shown in Fig, 3, or swung tothe right asshown in Fig. 4, whichever is most convenient for the housewife. I

The central compartmentis indicated by the numeral Iii in Fig. 2. Its sidewalls mask or concealthe connections to the, light bulb sockets that are mounted in thepartition members 52. The interiorsurfaceof this compartment may be highly mirrorized so as to constituteaureflecting surface. Hingedly connected as at 13 is auclosure I4. for the compartment 10 and this closure maybe frictionally retained by friction latches I5 at opposite sides of the compartment. The-tip I6 of said closure may serve asa finger piece. The hinge may be of friction locking type if desired. I

This compartment may hold a potholder and when the parts are positioned as shown in Fig. 1, thumb pressure upon the finger piece IE will release the closure 14 and upon dropping of said closure, thereby openin the'compartment, the potholder will automatically drop into the hand ready for instant use.

This arrangement also has another possible use. If the innersurface or-face of the closure I4. is highly mirrorized, this may serve as a make-up mirror and the compartment I may contain the usual cosmetics, applicators and the like. The housewife can, before leaving the kitchen to answer a door alarm, raise the illumination unit upon the hinge 50, press the button '24, thereby energizing both lights, and lower the mirror M from the closed position shown in Fig. 2 to eitherdotted line position shown in said figure. This provides proper. illumination for the purpose desired, as well as the .mirror for such purpose, and the compartment can, as stated, containthe accessories for'such purposes.

, It will be also observed that when .the canopy structure is ,in its normal or lowered position, the light bulbs reflect the illumination downwardly and inasmuch as the face of thebase I3 is inclined, the face of the clock will be illuminated to a far greater degree than if the face of the base I3 were vertical; It will be observed that when the mirror member '54 is closed, grease spattering or the like cannot attach thereto. Likewise it has been found that when the interior surfaces. are of mirrored character, the heat therefrom is materially reduced, because radiant heat from the stove, burners is prevented from passing into the compartment since bright surfaces do not radiate such heat.

Instead of potholders or the like being contained within the compartment I0, certain utensils used about the stove may be contained therein and if the conventional friction hinge be insufiicient to retain the closure in its closed position, when the canopy is in its normal position, the latches I5 aforesaid insure positive retention of the closure I4 inthe closed position. If desired this may be a positive'automatic latch only releasable by finger pressure. Such latches are well known and require, it is believed, no additional illustration or description I Whenever the recess I4 i not desired for clock mounting, nor for condiment vessel accommodation, this recess is adapted to receive cooking implements, cutlery, etc. Naturally, of course, a closure for said recess this may be of the same the compartment character. I

It is again emphasized that by reason of the inclination of either hinge axis with respect to the top plane of the stove that if the illumination means is swung outwardly from either side, the outer end thereof automatically elevates to an elevation greater than that theretofore occupied by that end when in normal position and such increased elevation permits the housewife to stir within deep vessels on the stove and at the same time adequately illuminates the interiors of the vessels and contents therein. 1

In Fig. 7, I00 indicates the stove proper .having the top IOI and the back splasher I02. .A pair of depending members I03 is suitably carried by the backofthe stove and is extended above the back splasher, a shown by dotted lines, and to the same is secured a central keystone outlined central member or base I04 that herein is shown provided with a clock I05 and associated with which are the starting and setting members I08 and I01. This also carries a lightcontrolling switch I08.

Hingedly connected to the inclined. side as at I99 and to eachinclined side. of said ornamental base is the canopy IIO supporting the socket III in which. is mounted the light bulb IIZ. By reason of the inclination of this side, the hinge axis is inclined to the plane of the stove top. By reason thereof, accordingly, when either one of the two canopies are swung out over the top, the outer end of the swung canopy automatically and progressively elevates. I

Whenever the support members I03 and the base IMis inclined upwardly and rearwardly, as shown in Fig. 8, the canopy, when swung over the top, elevates to a still greater degree and it will be observed that this inclination of the base is not objectionable from an aesthetic standpoint.

In Fig. 9 it will be noted that the stove 200 has the top. 20I with the back splasher 202 Herein a central member is provided and this, preferably in the manner shown in Fig. 8, is inclined upwardly and rearwardly and near the upper end mounts a light switch 204. A pair of canopies are hingedly connected at 205' and each canopy mounts a socket 205 in which is mounted alight bulb 201. Both bulbs are,naturally, simultaneously controlled by the switch .204 and this also applies to the modification shown in Figs. '7 and'8.

In view of the illustration of the upward and rearward inclination feature in Fig. 8, an end elevation of the stove shown in Fig. 9 is not believed necessary. Likewise, whenever it is desired to have the panel or base I04 coplanar with the back splasher, such arrangement will be perfectly obvious and needs no additional illustration.

Now by reason of the upward and rearward inclination of the base 203, eachofthe canopies will, when swung overthe table top, have the outer end elevate relative to theprevious datum plane thereof. Itwill also be obvious when less swinging is desired that the member 203 in the Fig. 9 modification need not be inclined upwardly and rearwardly. The advantage of having the light directly over the stove for occasional special use can thusbe effected. However, as previously stated, when the base 203 is inclined upwardly character as shown for 10, or of any other desired I4 may be provided and 7 and rearwardly in the manner shown in Fig. 8 with reference to the base I04, the advantage of increased elevation in the "swinging of the canopy is obtained.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in great detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character,

The several modifications described herein as well as others which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, all are conside'red to be within the scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. An attachment including in combination a base, means for attaching same to a stove and the like, a support member rigid with the base, a second member normally parallel thereto, two pairs of links, one pair bein'g pivotec'i at "one end to one member end and at their opposite ends to the relatively remote end of the other member, the other pair of links being pivoted at one end to the opposite end of said one member and at their opposite ends to the relatively remote end of the said other member, and illumination means carried by the said one member and swingable outwardly from the said other member at either end thereof and laterally over the stove in opposite directions, said members when parallel having two parallel links pivoted alignments spaced apart approximately the length of the links.

2. An attachment as defined by claim 1 characterized by the illumination means being downwardly directed and the said one member havin an opening therein for illumination laterally when said means is swung outwardly in either direction.

3. An attachment as defined by claim 1 wherein hinge means hingedly connects the illumination means to the said one member for illumination means positioning coextensive therewith but angularly thereof.

4. An attachment as defined by claim 1 wherein one end of each member includes means forming an elongated guide coincident with the pivot alignment at that endfand current supply wiring to said illumination means and guided thereby, said wiring effecting relatively approximately a quarter turn between opposite ends of the guided portion when the illumination means is swung on the included axis. 7

5. An attachment as definedby claim 1 wherein the means for attaching the base is at an angle thereto for relative angular positioning of the support member relative to the plane of the attaching means, either swung end of the illumination means having, when swung, a different elevation relative to a datum plane of said illumination means when unswun'g.

6. An attachment as defined by claim 1 wherein said illumination means includes a canopy, multiple partitioning therein forming at least three compartments, hinged cover means for an intermediate compartment, a light source at each end of the canopy and in an end compartment, the covered compartment being thereb'et'ween, at least one face of the compartment cover means being of mirror character.

7. An attachment as defined by claim 1 wherein said illumination means includes a canopy, mul tiple partitioning therein forming at least three compartments'hingedcover means for an intermediate compartment, a light source at each end or the'canopy and in an 'end compartment, the covered compartment being therebetween, at least one face of the compartment cover "means being of mirror character, the canopy having hinge connection with said one member for illuminati'o'n means positioning coextensive therewith but 'angularly thereof.

8. In combination a pair of parallel members with portions at each end directed towards the other member, a pair of outermost equal length links, cross arranged and pivotally connected at opposite ends to opposite vportions at the ends of the members, and an inner pair of similar length links cross arranged and pivo'tally connected at opposite ends to opposite portions at the ends of the members and re'versely of the previous pivoted connections, the several pivoted connections being arranged in two alignments which are parallel and at the ends of said members whereby one member may be swung" outwardly relative to the other member and from either end thereof.

9. Structure as defined by claim 8 wherein flexible conduit means is provided ande'ach mem-' bar at one end supports elongated conduit "guide means, the guide means having coaxial alignment with the parallel pivotal axes alignments, said conduit means upon member swinging flexing arcuately substantially proportional to the member swinging.

'10. structure as defined by claim '8 wherein flexible conduit means is provided and each member at one end supports elongated conduit guide means, the guide means having coaxial alignment with the parallel pivotal axes alignments, said conduit means upon member swinging flexing arcu'ately substantially proportional to the member swinging, each member being apertured intermediate its ends for conduit means passage, said conduit means between passage portions including lengths from the apertures to the guide means, lengths through guide means, and an intermediate portion at least equal to the distance between the spaced guide means.

11. An attachment as defined byclaim l'wherein the means for attaching the base is at an angle thereto for relative angular positioning of the support member relative to the plane of the attaching means, either swung end. of the illumi-" nation means having, when swung, a different elevation relative to a datum plane of said illumination means when nnswung, said inclined base including a compartment therein.

12. The combination with a stove having a back support and top .face and illumination means adjacent the back support and above the plane of the face, of means hingedly connecting the illumination means to the support for swinging the illumination means outwardly and laterally from the support to overlie said Trace, the hinge axis being inclined to the plane of the face so that the outer end of the swung illumination means is at greater elevation from the face plane than when it is not swung outwardly.

13. The combination. with a stove having a back support and 'topface and illumination means adjacent the back support and above the plane of the face, "of means hingedly connecting the illumination means to the support for swinging the illumination means outwardly and laterally from the' support to overlie said face, the hinge means including a pair of adjacent links, one being pivotally connected at one end to one end. of the back support and at the opposite end-to the end of the illuminati'onmeans most remote from said back support end, the other link being pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said back support and at the opposite end to the other end of the illumination means.

14. In combination, a supporting member apertured intermediate its ends, a second member apertured intermediate its ends, hinge means adjacent each end of the members for hingedly connecting the second member upon the first member for second member swinging at either end of said supporting member, a plurality of conduit guide mean in juxtaposition to the hinge axes and in alignment therewith, and current conducting means extending from the first member aperture and therethrough to one of the" axis aligned guide means and therethrough, thence from the upper end thereof to the upper end of another aXis aligned guide means and thence from the latter to the aperture of the second member and through same, sagging of the guide to guide defined portion of the current conducting means being of non-interfering character.

15. A combination as defined by claim 14 wherein the members are relatively elongated, and at least one of the apertures is positioned near the top of the member so apertured.

JAMES H. REICHART. 

